Seven Sperm Facts That Will Surprise You

Even today, there are a number of misconceptions surrounding male fertility, and specifically sperm health. The health of a man’s sperm is dependent on a number of factors, and issues with sperm’s quality can stem from any of them.

At the Fertility Center of California, we wish to dispel unhelpful myths by providing educational information that men can use to make healthy choices that will benefit both their fertility and overall health.

Seven sperm facts that will (probably) surprise you

1. Sperm needs to stay cool to stay healthy – There’s a reason that men are told to avoid long periods of time with technology like laptops and tablets on their laps or cell phones in their pockets. Heat from these technological devices can negatively impact sperm health. This is also why men are typically directed to avoid tight-fitting underwear and clothes as well as prolonged hot tub use.
2. Your weight matters (a lot) – those who are underweight or overweight can experience fertility issues. For example, men with BMIs that indicate they are overweight are more likely to have sperm with poor motility (ability to move forward) than are men within a healthy BMI range.
3. Exercise can hurt sperm – When it’s excessive, your exercise routine can hurt your sperm count. Men who perform excessive physical fitness routines are more likely to have issues with fertility and sexual performance. This is especially true when steroids are used.
4. Medications can impact fertility – Talk to your doctors about the medications you are currently taking and whether they can affect fertility. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications have the potential to either hurt sperm or decrease your ability to achieve/maintain an erection.
5. Lifestyle choices are important too – How much alcohol you consume, how much tobacco you smoke and the amount of caffeine in your diet will affect your fertility.
6. Poor sperm quality is complicated – Sperm’s quality is measured by several factors: the sperm’s count, motility, morphology, volume, color, and other factors like pH, liquefaction, DNA damage and more. Any individual may experience one particular sperm issue and not necessarily others.
7. Sperm and semen are not the same thing – The two terms are often used interchangeably, but sperm is found within semen, which contains other substances from the body as well.

Do you have questions about sperm health or quality, or male fertility issues? Please contact the Fertility Center of California today.